John Kepler

JOHN KEPLER

Cedar Rapids

John Kepler, 77, passed away Monday, June 6, 2016, at West Ridge Care Center from complications related to Parkinson's disease.

He was born May 4, 1939, in Cedar Rapids to Charles and Margaret (McCune) Kepler. He was raised in a home near the Cedar River and taught the love of fishing and the outdoors. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1958, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Japan and honorably discharged in 1960. Jack was appointed to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department in 1961 and promoted through the ranks to district chief in July 1977. He retired from the department in July 1994.

Jack was an avid fisherman, hunter and lover of the outdoors. He spent most of his retirement years enjoying the river in Guttenburg with his friends, Al, Francis and "Woody."

He loved his family and time spent with grandchildren, a source of encouragement and support to all.

Jack also was a past member of the American Trapshooting Association, Ottercreek Gun Club and Ducks Unlimited.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ellen (Sulek) Kepler; two daughters, Cherie (Robert) Marriott and Kim (Eric) Stenberg; five grandchildren, Matt and Emily Marriott and Tony, Jake and Anna Stenberg; a brother- in-law, Leon Sulek; two nieces and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Diana Sulek.

There will be a visitation at the Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 9. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 10, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories.

Instead of flowers, the family asks memorial donations be made to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department (honor guard or museum) or Mercy Medical Center's Hospice of Mercy of Cedar Rapids.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.